UH Among Top Universities Granting Degrees to Hispanics

The University of Houston remains among the top universities in the nation conferring degrees to Hispanic students. That’s according to The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education magazine's annual rankings of colleges and universities.

The University ranked 21st among the top 100 colleges and universities granting undergraduate and graduate degrees to Hispanic students. Twenty percent of the more than 8,000 degrees conferred in the 2012 academic year (the most recent year statistics are available) were earned by Hispanic students. When considering undergraduate enrollment in four-year colleges or universities, UH ranked No. 17.

Statistics come from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

“At the University of Houston, student success is our top priority,” said Paula Myric Short, UH Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. “We have put into place very intentional and strategic initiatives to ensure that our students successfully complete their degrees with the education and experiences to make them competitive in their future endeavors. We are pleased that so many Hispanic students are taking advantage of what UH has to offer them.”

For the last five years, the University of Houston has appeared among the top 30 colleges and universities ranked by Hispanic Outlook magazine.

In 2012, the University was designated an Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education. The HSI designation means at least 25 percent of full-time undergraduates are Hispanic.

Also ranked in the magazine were individual academic programs. The UH architecture program ranked No. 5 among the top 10 programs graduating Hispanics. Additionally, the UH communication/journalism program ranked seventh, while the University’s math/statistic program ranked No. 5.

“Being the only urban, public, Tier-One research university in Texas brings with it a promise. Although admission to the college is competitive, if you work hard and stay on track, we can help you realize your biggest dreams,” said Patricia Oliver, Dean of the College of Architecture.

The Hispanic Outlook report cites survey information from the College Board that indicates the academic year saw the smallest increase in tuition and fees among many four-year institutions. Indeed the University of Houston System Board of Regents approved system-wide four-year fixed rates for fiscal years 2015 and 2016 to help students graduate early or on time. These rates were developed in response to a policy decision from the Texas Legislature requiring universities to offer four-year fixed tuition plans this year.

Other UH System campuses included in the Hispanic Outlook rankings are the University of Houston-Downtown, ranked 43rd among colleges and universities enrolling Hispanics for undergraduate degrees, and the University of Houston-Clear Lake ranked 76th among the top 100 colleges or universities enrolling Hispanics for graduate degrees.